FinMin: There is no dissension, we are working as members of the government, aware of certain matters and problems

Finance Minister Zdravko Maric on Wednesday said that the ministry's analysis of the Uljanik Group was nearing completion and that to date HRK 35 billion had been pumped into shipbuilding and that he cannot see how to justify an additional HRK 7 to 10 billion for Uljanik.

Furthermore, it doesn't seem to him that it is possible for the costs of restructuring and bankruptcy to be the same.

"There is no dissension, we are working as members of the government, aware of certain matters and problems," Maric answered reporters when asked whether any misunderstanding existed between him and Economy Minister Darko Horvat regarding Uljanik and the debate on restructuring the Pula-based dock or possible receivership.

Maric said that the Finance Ministry is nearing completion an analysis of Uljanik and that the final details are being hammered out and that after that, it will be presented to the cabinet and ruling coalition.

"Regardless of the fact that the issue of Uljanik is currently being observed in a binary way -- bankruptcy or restructuring -- it is not that easy to answer that question as the entire situation is a lot more complex. In the analysis, we are not looking only at the situation in the Uljanik group from the perspective of guarantees and separated segments but rather as a comprehensive overview which among other things includes to what extent the budget will be affected, the economy, industrial production and exports and what the global situation and trends are on the market itself," Maric told reporters.

He informed that until yesterday HRK 3.1 billion had been paid to cover enforced guarantees. However, he added, considering other guarantees issued there is a possibility that that amount could increase by a further HRK 300 million to HRK 500 million.

At the same time the share of shipbuilding in industrial production over the past three years has been less that 1.5%. In January, that share was 0.8%, he said.

Text: Hina

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